Resources included

Right click to save the following religious templates JPGs to your computer:

• Buddhist lotus leaf
• Christian dove
• Christian stained glass feature with superimposed cross
• Islamic moon and star
• Jewish star of David
• Jewish seven-branch candlestick

Introduce reasons for selecting the religious symbols explaining why they are of special value to people of different religions. Once the pupils are logged on to their computer they should be shown how to open the prepared template. The pupils, if they do not already know, should be given guidance on how to access the colour palettes toolbar. Indicate the chosen brush tool and show how to change them to fill and spray tools. Time should be allowed for the pupils to experiment with the spray tools so as to enable them to get a feel for the effect and to experiment with the fill tool to establish some of its powerful capabilities.

A careful explanation of how to use "Edit-Undo" and the rubber tool is also invaluable at this stage. Perhaps, if there are a selection of high-ability pupils, the teacher can introduce these pupils to the "Ctrl + Z" keyboard shortcut which enables the user to undo the last instruction they gave. Finally get pupils to demonstrate these functions to rest of the class.

Once confident that the pupils are able to locate these tools and possess a basic idea of how to use them it would be good to allow the pupils the chance to begin enhancing their template. The pupils should not be put off by the fact that their spray lines overlap or are not exactly perfect, because the task they are engaged in is developing their overall mouse control.

Encourage careful use of the "erase" tool explaining to the pupils that the computer allows them to be able to change, modify or alter anything they have done at any time.

As the session progresses the pupils should be periodically asked to stop what they are doing and evaluate the content of their work. Ask questions such as "Have you used interesting colours?"